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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Romsey parliamentary by-election
Derrick Large Election Communication
Wednesday 03 May 2000 Legalise Cannabis Alliance Your Local Candidate Whilst patients are being prosecuted The law is casually ignored Cannabis in Britain is now widespread Time to take the issue on board! Dear voter, My name is DERRICK LARGE and I am your LEGALISE CANNABIS ALLIANCE candidate for the ROMSEY constituency. The cannabis issue encompasses many aspects in our lives, affecting users and non-users alike. I believe the current laws prohibiting cannabis to be unjust and positively harmful to our society and that their repeal would bring many useful benefits. The medicinal benefits of cannabis have been known for millennia. A prescribed medicine until 1971, cannabis can bring unique relief for many diverse ailments. Since then though, many patients have been treated as criminals, some ending up in prison. Whilst I welcome the research and trials into medicinal cannabis currently taking place, these will take time to complete. Meanwhile, following the acceptance of the therapeutic values of cannabis by the BMA, the House of Lords and The Police Foundation, I call upon the Government to allow those in need to have immediate access to medicinal cannabis in its natural herbal form, without fear of arrest or prosecution. The law isn't working. If the object of the law is to prevent use, it hasn't worked. Cannabis is now used by a broad section of the population and this is accepted by drug counsellors, police officers, the courts, respected newspapers and many others, though not the Government. Despite record levels of convictions, illegal cannabis has never been more available and, as a result, children are being exposed to it at an ever earlier age. The future prospects of young persons are often detrimentally affected by a cannabis conviction. Agriculture, meanwhile, is denied a useful crop resource, especially important at present when many farmers are struggling. Often overlooked in the debate is HEMP, which can be used for textiles, cosmetics, food, fuel and many other purposes, whilst also benefiting the environment in the process. Reform of the law would free up production and research, creating extra farm income and job opportunities in rural areas. A legal, regulated and controlled market for cannabis products would help improve the present-day situation. As the Dutch experience shows, separating cannabis from other more harmful substances reduces exposure to them, allows for honest drug education and nurtures more responsible use. Legal availability would also create many employment opportunities, raise additional taxes, control quality and free up valuable police resources. Printed, published & promoted by the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, PO Box 2883, Stoke-on_Trent, ST4 9EE
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